> The turkey baster.
Unfortunately true (although I doubt it was a literal turkey baster).
Kids, both girls and boys, benefit from the presence of a loving and responsible father in the home. While I don't think it's my place to judge, I do feel that Mary's child will not do as well as if s/he had a father around.
Of course, the kid's grandfather will be pretty kick-ass, so that will make up for some of the loss!
I doubt it was a literal turkey baster too, but it was a question begging for an answer, even at 1:40a.m. ;)
There are loads of fatherless children, some male relative or close friend makes up the difference. Mary Cheney's baby will indeed have a grandfather who is involved in his grandchild's life.
The kid, like any other kid would be a more well-rounded person in later life if it was immersed in both the male and female influences. The male society has already been neutered to a larger extent, thanks in large part to the radical feminist movement that preceeded the sexual revolution of the 1960's. Turn a TV on these days, and it's not hard to see that guys either sound effeminate or act effeminate. This country will be in a long struggle for as long as it's moral compass continues to be out of whack. It'll take a movement much like a nationwide church revival to knock the moral compass back in the right direction. Until that time comes, this country will continue in a slow downward spiral.